SOLVED: How To See HIDDEN and/or SYSTEM Folders

We recently wrote a brief article on the C:\$Windows.~WS folder noting that, by default, Windows has this this folder hidden so you can’t see it. It is both a hidden and a system folder.

If you need to view or delete this folder, you’ll need to enable the option to show hidden and system files in File Explorer. Here’s how you can do it in Windows 11 and Windows Server 2019, 2022, 2025:

1. Open MY FILES, MY COMPUTER, or FILE EXPLORER
2. Click on the ... (three dots) in the menu bar
3. Click the VIEW tab
4. In ADVANCED SETTINGS
   • Check the radio button (dot) for SHOW HIDDEN FILE FOLDERS AND DRIVES
   • Uncheck HIDE PROTECTED OPERATING SYSTEM FILES (RECOMMENDED)
5. Click OK

You do NOT need to reboot; these changes are instantaneous.